Police say driver in deadly crash was at 3 times legal limit

When 50-year-old Willis Goodale pulled his Jeep Cherokee out of a Montville rest area and onto Interstate 395 the night of March 9, his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, a newly released police report shows.

By GREG SMITH

The Bulletin

By GREG SMITH

Posted Jul. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 11, 2012 at 11:03 AM

By GREG SMITH

Posted Jul. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 11, 2012 at 11:03 AM

When 50-year-old Willis Goodale pulled his Jeep Cherokee out of a Montville rest area and onto Interstate 395 the night of March 9, his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, a newly released police report shows.

New charges were filed against Goodale on Monday for allegedly causing a multivehicle crash that claimed the life of 33-year-old Norwich firefighter Benjamin DeMond and seriously injured several other people, including DeMond’s two young sons, Alex and Cole.

Police said Goodale was unsteady on his feet, smelled of alcohol and when asked for his license and registration, started handing the trooper the contents of his glove compartment.

Goodale failed a field sobriety test and a blood test later revealed his blood alcohol level to be 0.25, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. The legal limit is 0.08.

Goodale is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, second-degree manslaughter and several counts of second-degree assault, among other charges. At the scene of the crash, police said, Goodale’s Jeep Cherokee was empty but smelled of alcohol. He was later found inside DeMond’s car, saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen,” according to the affidavit.

Eyewitness

An arrest warrant affidavit prepared by state Trooper Jonathan Baker for Goodale’s newest arrest also reveals an eyewitness to the chaotic scene. Kimberly Ryone, 33, was headed south on I-395 behind DeMond’s vehicle in the passing lane and recalled seeing the two children in DeMond’s car, police said.

In the area of the Mobil station, just off the highway, Ryone said “she observed a light-colored Jeep Cherokee completely stopped in the right lane,” according to the affidavit.

“Ryone then stated that as they approached the vehicle, it just pulled out in front of them,” the affidavit says.

DeMond swerved to avoid a collision, traveling through an emergency turnaround in the center median and into the northbound lane of I-395, where he was hit head-on by a northbound vehicle.

Held on a combined $1 million bond, Goodale is due to appear July 30 in Norwich Superior Court. He has not entered a plea yet on the manslaughter charge.

Children on mend

Norwich Fire Capt. Scott Merchant, head of the local firefighters union, said DeMond’s oldest son, Alex, is still going through emotional and physical therapy, while the youngest, Cole, appears to be doing well. They both are living with their mother, he said.